Steelers 2020 Training Camp Recap, Day 5: T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree looking to get even better

The Pittsburgh Steelers were back out in pads again Saturday night, and head coach Mike Tomlin and crew were ready to get this new year started right. While there wasn’t as much news coming out of Heinz Field Saturday, thanks to Mother Nature, the one area of the team which doesn’t need to be discussed much is the pass rush.

The Steelers could set a franchise record in 2020 if they are able to register 50+ sacks this season, and you can expect T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree to be a very important part of their overall pass rush.

In 2019, Dupree and Watt accounted for 26 total sacks, and Mike Tomlin was asked about not just what separates this tandem from others, but what they do which makes them one of the best pass rushing duos in the league.

Watt knows the path his career is headed. He already has his 5th year option picked up, and the Steelers will be backing up the Brinks truck to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to pay him for his second contract.

Dupree, on the other hand, has everything to play for in 2020. He is currently under the franchise tag and will be looking to hit a pay day somewhere in 2021. Him playing well could be the difference between millions of dollars.

If these two edge rushers can continue to step up their game, the Steelers’ won’t be just setting franchise records, they will be an elite defense in the NFL.

There was other news from Day 5 of training camp practice...

Let’s get to it...

Players missed

After practice on Saturday, Mike Tomlin said there were the same short-term, or day-to-day, injuries to Diontae Johnson and Terrell Edmunds. David DeCastro continues to be sideline with his own minor injury, and Kevin Dotson (knee) have yet to return after their injuries earlier this week.

However, there were new injuries after Saturday’s practice. Robert Spillane (finger), Wendell Smallwood (shoulder), Kam Canaday (knee) and Chris Wormley (shoulder) who just returned to practice Friday.

Pre-Game importance

The Steelers didn’t just wear their game uniforms, but they went through a regular pre-game scenario. This was planned by Tomlin to help his new, and younger, players get a pre-game situation in before the Week 1 Monday Night Football game at MetLife Stadium vs. the Giants.

Hope for the 2020 season, and fans in seats at some point

Art Rooney II gave an interview prior to practice, and he had some good news for fans who might be skeptical for the 2020 season to not just start, but to finish.

On top of that, Rooney also added he hasn’t given up hope on having fans at Heinz Field to watch the Steelers this season, even it if isn’t at full capacity.

Continuity Matters

Speaking of what Rooney II had to say about the 2020 season, he definitely views the fact the Steelers have a tremendous amount of coaching continuity, and a veteran team as a bonus heading into such an unsure season as this one.

Mason Rudolph talks development

Early on Saturday, Mason Rudolph spoke to the media, and it was the first time Rudolph spoke and talked about 2019. How he knows he wasn’t good enough, how his shoulder is healing and how he feels he is still a starting NFL caliber quarterback.

Shortened Practice

As you can see in the photo below, the Steelers’ evening practice Saturday was cut short when a severe storm came rolling in. Tomlin said the practice was cut short about a ‘period and a half’.

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PODCAST

A recap of the day’s happenings, in audio form:

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Live Look-In at Practice

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Mike Tomlin Post-Practice Conference

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Video

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Photos